Although [http://wikitravel.org/en/Cali Cali] is the irrefutable Salsa learning capital of Colombia, you have a few options in Medellin. There are quite a few Salsa schools and academies around (usually offering a host of other dancing styles as well). There are also private teachers who give classes at your place.

+

+

* '''Juan Rico''' is a private Salsa dance teacher, with 17 years of experience. Other dance styles such as Bachata, tango and Merengue and more are also available. Lessons are affordable with discounts for bulk orders. Phone: (+57) 300 242 8341, (+57) 318 388 0808

===Learn Colombian Cooking===

===Learn Colombian Cooking===

Revision as of 23:45, 19 February 2013

Medellín is the second largest city in Colombia. It has over 2 million people and is the capital of the department of Antioquia. It's set in a valley running south to north just under one hour by plane from Bogotá.

Understand

Recent History

Let's just get it out of the way up front: throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Medellín was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world for its size, and had a highly disproportional homicide and kidnapping rate. It was the home of the drug lord Pablo Escobar and the so-called Medellín Cartel, who virtually took over the city during that time. Since his demise in the mid-1990's, the cartel was disbanded and the city rebounded tremendously. In 1991 there were 6500 murders in the city, by 2009 the murder rate decreased to 2900 [1]. During the first six months of 2012, 614 homicides were registered.[2].

In October of 2012 the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning regarding Colombia: The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, including in tourist and business travel destinations such as Cartagena and Bogota, but violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural areas and parts of large cities.
[3].
It is safe to say that the city is better off today than 20 years ago. Paisas, the residents of Medellin, are proud of their city's progress, and are ready to move forward with vigor.

Medellín is a vast city built north to south in the Aburrá valley and surrounded on either side by majestic mountain ranges. The wealthier classes live in the well-protected hillside neighborhood of El Poblado, and the more traditional suburban neighborhoods, Laureles and Envigado. This is far removed from the action and commotion which are found in the city's center. There are the busy markets and a thriving street life that make up much of the city's charm. The city is home to a half-dozen universities, accounting for a vibrant cultural and nightlife scene fueled by thousands of young adults from all over the country. Medellín is also Colombia's second largest industrial center, and home to factories making everything from designer clothing to trucks. The city's northern hills are flooded with rural refugees from the ongoing civil war and their ingenuity in making a living is impressive. People sell anything from crayons to guinea pigs to garden earth in the bars in order to make a living.

As a relatively newer city, the architecture has a decidedly modernist appeal, which goes hand in hand with the progressiveness of its residents. Medellin also has the first (and only) Metro system in Colombia. And, for international travelers, Medellín is perhaps most famous for the Botero Museum, whose namesake is one of the most famous modern artist alive today. It is also known for its perfect climate, as witnessed by its nickname "city of the eternal spring". Enough to make your trip worthy.

Traveler be aware: The best advice is to use common sense. Remember, common sense is the least common of all senses. As modern and picturesque as it may seem, listen to advice from the locals as to neighborhoods to stay out of.
The city safety report is online [4].

Metropolitan Area

Medellín is surrounded by 8 smaller towns and together they form the Area Metropolitana[5] with almost 3.5 million people. These other towns are: Bello, Itaguí, Sabaneta, La Estrella, Caldas, Copacabana, Girardota and Barbosa. The neighboring town of Envigado does not belong to this administrative association even though it is closer than many of the mentioned above. Medellín is a true conglomerate of towns and you will find it difficult to tell the borders between these municipalities.
Located east of Medellín is the valley of Rionegro [6] which is larger and higher in the mountains. This area holds some of the most important factories, recreational grounds and suburbs of the city, as well as the International Airport.

Climate

The weather in Medellín [8] is quite mild it well deserves its common motto of 'City of everlasting spring'. Average daily temperatures are 22ºC (71ºF) , range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius (60º-85ºF). Humidity is comfortable in the 50%-70% range. Due to its proximity with the equator there is little variation with the seasons. Due to the high altitude and moderate overcast skies Medellin stays cool, with an occasional couple hours of strong sun light.

As Medellín is located in a tropical country, the absence of air conditioners in Medellin often takes foreign visitors by surprise. Air conditioning is used in downtown areas. Fresh air comes from the mountains surrounding Medellin on all sides, and provides Medellin with the perfect climate. At night time the temperature is usually in the 10-15ºC (50-60ºF) range, and depends mostly on if its raining or not. The majority of restaurants are in open air environment, without walls, because of the perfect climate.

GPS coordinates

At the local airport Olaya Herrera the coordinates are Longitude -75,60 and Latitude 6,22.
Altitude is 1.490 meters above sea level.

Talk

Spanish is the official language in Colombia. Few locals are bilingual, and when so it is usually English as the second language, nevertheless, you will find many signs written both in Spanish and in English, especially in the most 'touristy' areas.

Traditional idioms

The conventional Spanish spoken by people from Medellín and its surroundings is closely related to ancient Spanish from the north (Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country) [10]

Urban Modern idioms or Parlache

Under-served kids in the city have assembled a wealth of new expressions that have fascinated scholars and artists. Many local movies like La Vendedora de Rosas[11] depict this urban language called Parlache[12] in its own idiom. Dialectologist have gather together a dictionary [13].

A taxi from Rionegro's International Airport to the city is about COP $55.000 (Sept 2012) depending on where you are going. Heading to the center or to Pablado takes around 45 minutes. There is a minibus to Medellín downtown available for COP 7.500 (USD 4) which takes approximately one hour. The last stop is right by Metro Parque Barrio.

Domestic Airport

There is a small local airport Olaya Herrera (IATA: EOH; ICAO: SKMD) [24] close to downtown and it is very convenient for regional and domestic travel, with non-stop flights to 23 destinations. Airlines: LAN (Merged with Aires) [25], Aerolínea de Antioquia -ADA- [26], Satena [27], EasyFly [28]. Also charter flights from Searca [29]. [30]

Bus

Medellín has two bus terminals (North and South) managed by the same company and share a single website [31]. Both terminals have mid-size shopping malls in the premises. For a complete list of the cities check the webpage.

The North terminal is much larger and it is connected with Metro station Caribe and the rail system (Although passenger rail transport in Colombia is quite limited). It serves cities North and East of Medellín (Cartagena, Santa Marta and Bogotá included).

The South terminal is next door to the much smaller domestic airport (closest Metro station El Poblado but not within walking distance). Serves towns South (Manizales, Pereira, Cali).

Car

There are four roads leading to Medellín from all cardinal points. From Bogota you can take Autopista Medellín and head west 7-9 hours with beautiful scenery. From Pereira, Cali and the south take road 25 towards Medellín. If coming from the Atlantic coast (Cartagena, Barranquillia) take route 25 south to Medellín (aprox. 11 hours). Of note, there is no road connecting Panamá with Colombia.

Trains are scarce and unreliable in Colombia. It is not possible to arrive in Medellín by boat.

Get around

The Metro is elevated; stations are wide, clean and with a view

Most of the city of Medellín is built on a grid system. Carreras (streets) are abbreviated as Cr, Cra, K, kra or Crs and run parallel to the river from South to North.
The calles (also streets) cross the Carreras and run from East to West. Calles are abbreviated as C, Cll or Cl.
Avenidas, abbreviated as Av, are usually larger and main streets. The numerical system for the Avenidas is used but some have names that are more commonly used such as Avenida el Poblado or Avenida Oriental.
There are a few streets called Transversales which usually refer to wide Carreras atop the mountains in El Poblado neighborhood. The most famous are transversal Intermedia, Inferior and Superior. Along Laureles neighborhood you can also find Diagonales and Circulares.

Each address consists of a series of numbers, for example: Calle 50 # 65 - 8 which indicates that the building is on street 50 (Calle 50) 8 meters ahead from the intersection with street 65 (Carrera 65).
The most central point, Parque de Berrio, is located by convention on the crossroads of Calle 50 and Carrera 50.

Metro and Metroplus

METRO

Timetables :
Monday through Saturday from 4:30 a.m to 11 p.m.
Sundays and holidays from 5:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m.

Frequency Peak hours: trains every 5 min, non-peak every 7 min.

Fare : single ride 1,800 COP for the year 2013 (includes Metrocable transfers)
The touristic Metrocable line L costs 4,000 COP, from 9:00am to 6:00pm

Traveling trough the city is easy and quick, with the Metro system [32], you can go anywhere in the city with The Metroplús (Bus extension to the Metro) [33] and the Metrocable [34], a sky train or cable car that has revolutionized transport in the city. The 'southern extension' of the metro opened in 2012 with new stations in Sabaneta and La Estrella, adding 2.5 km of lines to the system. The Metroplus system opened on December 2011 with 32 stations. It consists of long articulated buses powered with natural gas for a more environmentally friendly option. They run on exclusive roads and enclosed stations. Trains run from 5.00h to 23.00h on workdays and from 7.00h to 22.00h on Sundays and holidays. Single tickets are 1,800 COP (1 USD), transfers between the Metro trains, cables and the Metroplus Line 1 are free.

The Metrocable to the ecopark Arví - Line L - costs an additional COP $4,000 for the 4.5km trip up the mountains. Transfer at the Santo Domingo station of the Metrocable K line.

See the transit map where the Metroplus is the thin green line Bus linea 1[35].

Metrocable San Javier, Metro Line J

Taxis and Buses

Taxis are cheap and plentiful. All taxis have meters, make sure they use them. Minimal fee costs about 4.500 COP. Taxis should always be called by phone for safety reasons and not be hailed on the street. As in most Latin American countries, their driving can be harrowing, so hold on tight.

There is also the TuriBus [36], a modern hop on / hop off bus that goes around the city showing its parks, attractive neighborhoods, and historical parts; it only costs 28,000 COP. While they do not guarentee this, many times their guides also speak English and are happy to translate for you.

If you want to go around downtown or neighborhoods near the downtown area without using Taxis, try using the Circular Coonatra [37]. There are various routes, marked on the front and back of the busses. These cost about 1600 COP and require exact change.

Other

Outdoor Escalators

This unusual system allows underserved indwellers to climb up the mountains in the way to their homes, the escalators go up equivalent of a 28-story building. Opened in December 2011, rides are free [38]. They are located in the west of the city - San Javier area - which can be a rough neighborhood. It is not in walking distance of the San Javier metro station, which is the nearest.
Similar examples were only for tourist purposes, they are found in Bilbao near Portugalete, in the way down to the Vizcaya Bridge [39], and Monjuic Hill in Barcelona, Spain.

Car Rental

Renting a car in Medellin, Colombia can enhance your visit, so it´s definitely worth considering. Take a day trip to Santa Fe de Antioquia, Santa Helena, El Peñol or Llano Grande in Rionegro. Driving from Medellin allows for spectacular views as you climb up and out of the city into the surrounding mountains that lead to your day trip destination. Car rental in town or at the airport [40].

Biking

Biking is not easy in the city since many neighborhoods are in the hills. There is a small bike-route in the Laureles and Estadio areas. There are few areas designed to park bikes. On nights and weekends some major avenues are closed for the popular Ciclovia when you can safely ride a bike in the company of many other people exercising.

Walking is safe in some areas, not so in other parts of town. Read the 'stay safe' section for advise.

See

Landmarks

The International Flower and Orchid exhibit: every year in August at the Botanical Gardens

Pueblito Paisa is a reconstruction of a typical but tiny Antioquia village. It's located on top of el Cerro Nutibara and has a pleasant view over the city. It's within walking distance from the metrostation "Industriales," but as the walk to the top requires hiking uphill for a while, visitors might find that a taxi ride is a smart choice.

Los Alumbrados, the christmas lights decorating Medellin, make it the most beautiful Latin American city for the holidays. The lights stay put from the beginning of December to mid January. The most impressive parts are centered around the Rio Medellin at the 'puente de Guayaquil' and downtown. Large statues made of lights can be found throughout the city.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, which holds the record as one of the buildings in the world with the most bricks -over 1'1 million-, located along the Bolivar park in the city heart. Cra 48 calle 56. Metro station Prado.[41].

... Junin..., The junin pedestrian street it's a cobbledstone street in downtown area from Colteger building to Bolivar's park shows the history of city with Astor tea salon and Versalles salon.

Museums and The Arts

Botero sculptures outside of Museo de Antioquia and Palacio de la Cultura

Museo de Antioquia[42], Cra 52 #52-43, displays a collection of contemporary art including many pieces, paintings and sculptures of Fernando Botero, one of the most important sculptors in the world. The Plaza Botero holds several large sculptures just in front of the museum and is free of charge. Open: Mon - Fri 10 AM-5 PM and Sun - Holidays 10 AM-4 PM. Entrance is COP$10,000 (Nov 2012); students COP $4,000. Metro station Parque Berrío.

Museo Universidad de Antioquia[43] represents the merge of six collections: Visual Arts, Natural Science, University History, Galileo Interactive Room, Human Being and Anthropology. The attraction for foreigners is the Anthropology Collection which has the largest number in the Colombia of pre-Columbian ceramic pieces, with near 20,000 objects. Located in Bloque 15 of the University's main campus. Free admission, closed Sundays. Calle 67 N° 53-108, phone +57 4 219 5180. Metro station Universidad.

Casa Museo Fernando González[44] was local writer also known as The Philosopher from somewhere else or Otraparte which gives name to the home. A good opportunity to see an old traditional home with gardens, personal belongings and know more about his legacy. Monday-Friday 8 Am-8 PM, Sat-Sun 9-5 PM. Cra 43A # 27A Sur - 11 Avenida Fernando González (In the nearby town of Envigado), phone +57 4 276 1415 or 335 2501. Closest Metro station is Envigado then take a cab or bus, the walk is almost 2 km mostly uphill.

Museo Etnográfico Miguel Angel Builes[47] A large display of everyday use articles crafted by natives from all over the country. Tools, textiles, bijouterie, pottery, little boats, small tents. Cra 81, No. 52B-120, Phone: 57-4 421 6259. The museum is off the beaten path, closest Metro station is Floresta but the walk is over 1 km.

The Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellin (MAMM) has now 2 sites. The original is a small building near Suramericana and Carlos E. Restrepo neighborhoods, hosting the traditional exhibits. The new space in Ciudad del Río is a large and old industrial warehouse. Great café and restaurant in the premises. Opened in October 2009 near Metrostation Industriales. Original site: Carlos E. Restrepo, Carrera 44 Nº 19A-100. Phone +574 444 2622. Ciudad del Río, Carrera 64B Nº 51 - 64, Ph +574 230 2622 [48]

During the 1980's there was a local law mandating every new building to invest 5% of the budget in a work of art displayed to the public, usually a sculpture. The legacy is around 300 monuments and sculptures scattered throughout the city and the nickname of City of Sculptures[49]. There are 3 places with a higher concentration of sculptures: the above mentioned Plaza Botero, El Cerro Nutibara close to Pueblito Paisa and the gardens at Suramericana (Headquarters for the largest insurance company in the country).

After the wave of violence in the 1980's and 90's there was a resurgence in the field of education and the construction of modern libraries[50] in poor neighborhoods became a top priority. A few of them are masterpieces of architecture and a couple of them are easy to visit: Biblioteca España is atop the mountain and looks like giant black rocks hanging in the hills: Go to Metrostation Acevedo then take Metrocable to Santo Domingo station [51]. Another library, is close to Metrostation San Javier [52].

Parks

Modern structure for display of orchids at the Botanical Gardens

The Parque de los Deseos (Wishes' Park) [53] near Antioquia's University, has an Indian context, beautifully enmarqued with the planetarium, and large display of science experiments. You can find free open air movies and discussions with film directors Saturdays at 7PM. Metro station Universidad.

The Plaza de Cisneros (o de la luz - Plaza of Light) [54] is in the heart of the city, it borders some beautiful buildings from the 20's, the EPM library, and a sector that was full of drugs and poverty many years ago, but is now a place to visit and have a great time. Metro station Alpujarra.

Also visit the Parque de los Pies Descalzos (Barefoot park) [55] for a Zen experience in the heart of town. Outdoor cafés, cultural activities. Metro station: Alpujarra or Cisneros.

Plazuela de San Ignacio depicts Colonial and Republican style buildings. This little plaza witnessed in 1803 the birthplace of the largest university in town. The main lecture hall or Paraninfo de la Universidad de Antioquiais still in use and available for public view, even though the University moved 45 years ago to a big campus 2 km. north. Cra 44 at calle 48. Metro station: Parque Berrio. Walk uphill 6 block east.

Parque de Berrio is in the heart of town at the crossroads of Carrera 50 and Calle 50. Has the buildings of the Stock Exchange, Bank of the Republic, La Candelaria Church and the busiest metro station. It has the unofficial meetingplace for the locals -right at the sculpture of the 'Fat Woman' or 'La Gorda de Botero'. Connects directly to Plaza Botero and Plazulea Nutibara. Metro station Parque de Berrio.

The Parque Periodista is a small square right in the center of the city. It is where the 'bohemian' and 'alternative' people meet. The bars play music varying from reggae and old salsa to alternative rock. You will find most of the people hanging outdoors instead of inside the bars. Metro station Parque Berrio.

Parque San Antonio is a large, newer development right downtown. Hosts a handcraft bazaar and an infamous sculpture of a fat bird, bombed by criminals a couple of decades ago during the hard times of violence. By request of the artist the piece of art has not been repaired. Metro station San Antonio.

The Parque de Boston is an attractive area that leads down to the main promenade La Playa where people can be found gathering at night to see street acts.

Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens), Calle 73 # 51 -298 (Metro station Universidad), ☎+574 444-5500, [56]. Mid size gardens with a vast collection of orchids and many tropical flowers, plants and trees. The covered area for display of flowers is an architectural marvel. The annual orchid exhibit every August [57] is world class. Free except during the orchid exhibit.

Parque Juanes de la Paz is of limited touristic attraction since it has mostly sport courts and is in an under served neighborhood. With the help of the world famous singer work began in 2006 on a recreational park for the rehabilitation of the handicapped. The 68,000 square meter facility cost was around COP$11 billion, financed in part by the government of Medellín, it was completed in 2008. [59]. Metrostation Tricentenario.

The new Arví park in the eastern slopes of the valley, close to a beautiful dam. This park promotes ecotourism and it has direct connection with the Metro through a new Metrocable (opened March 2010). The several kilometer long ride goes up over the mountain and then over the tree tops into the park. [60]

Parque El Salado is in a beautiful natural setting on the mountain overlooking Envigado. There are good paths for walking. The main attraction is a short canopy tour/zip line with about five stops. (The complete is longer but the additional length is reserved for members). Take the Metro to Envigado and then take the connecting bus that goes to Parque El Salado. The bus ride itself is worth the trip as it winds its way through neighborhoods up the mountain with some great views along the way. [61]

Buildings

Ferrocarril de Antioquia - Old train station is a fine building at the corner of City Hall and the Governor's Hall. Has a small exhibit area with free admission. Cra 52 # 43-31. Metro station Alpujarra. [62]

EPM building also called the Intelligent building for its computerized self control. An icon of contemporary architecture. Cra. 58 calle 42. Metro station Alpujarra.

Edificio Coltejer has been the symbol of the city for over 40 years, shaped as a threading needle for this textile company. Calle 52 cra 47 (Crossroads of La Playa Ave and Junín). Metro station Parque Berrio.

Neighborhoods

Prado neighborhood - formerly it was the wealthy neigbourhood of the city so many huge houses were built there. It still has some of these beautiful old houses, though it should be visited with caution as it's near the center of the city. Metro station Prado.

El Poblado neighborhood - this upscale part of town is built in steep hills and has many modern buildings which complement the nearby Andes forest. Most of the trendy bars, clubs, and restaurants of Medellín are located in this neighborhood. Safe to walk around at any time. Recommended. Take metro to Poblado station and walk East on Calle 10 for approximately 1km.

West of the Medellin river are the middle class neighborhoods of Laureles, Estadio and Suramericana which are modern. Carrera 70 in Suramericana is where many of the best Salsa clubs are, and represent an excellent way to take a break from the trendiness of Zona Rosa and see some real Colombian dancing. The line B of the Metro runs along 'Estadio' near all major stadiums and sport facilities.

If you only have a day

In the morning take the metro to a downtown station, visit some churches - most are open early in the morning -, then head to the park outside Museo de Antioquia to see the sculptures, enter the museum at 10 AM and visit until lunchtime.
Have lunch either at the museum's restaurant or cafe, or take the metro to Metrostation Universidad, enter Jardin Botanico (Botanical Gardens) and eat there. Rest a little while strolling the gardens, then go across the street to Parque Explora or Parque de los Deseos. Before sunset take the metro to Acevedo station, hop on the Metrocable for spectacular views in the way up, and a city of lights upon your return. Take the metro back to any station near El Poblado, go shopping and then for dinner and a bar afterwards.

Do

Sightseeing

Metrocables[63] There are two cable car extensions of the Metro: For the line K take the a metro train to Acevedo station and from there take the Metrocable up to Santo Domingo for a nice view over the city. The cablecar is included in your metroticket. Go during the day and walk around to see what working class people live like. The area at the top sees tourists so there are little stands set up and people selling empanadas and other things. You can stop at a little bar and have a beer. Don't stray too far or off the beaten path in this neighborhood, though. For those so inclined, there are young people that give tours waiting at the top wearing t-shirts that said "guia" (guide). Also recommended is taking the metrocable located at San Javier up to La Aurora (J line). Although there is nothing special to see or do at the top of the cable car route, the trip itself is longer and more interesting than the cable car that goes to Santo Domingo.

Stroll along lively Carabobo street, Carrera 52 [64] in the heart of downtown, recently converted to pedestrian-only. Safer during daytime. Metro stations Parque Berrio, San Antonio or Alpujarra. Along the street see Plaza Botero (read under Museums) and also:

Basílica de la Candelaria built in 1767, a National Monument. Cra. 49 # 50-85, just off Carabobo. [65]

Edificios Vásquez y Carré built at the turn of the XIX century by a French architect. Nowadays in public use, with stores, cafeterias, etc. Cra. 52 x calle 44. [66]

Palacio Nacional Circa 1928, is now a large shopping mall. Styled with Romantic and Modern influence. Cra 52 # 48-45. [68]

Turibus[69] is a good option to get a general overview of the city. You can take it to many of the main tourist attractions for 28,000 COP (45,000 COP for a 2-day ticket). The tour lasts four hours and allows 20-30 minutes per stop for sight-seeing and photos, with a hop-on/hop-off service. You can get onboard Turibus at 7 different locations, the main one at the south side of Parque Poblado. Spanish is the only advertised language, however many times at least one guide speaks English and is happy to translate [70].

zoOmiing[72] is a great option if you are looking for private bilingual tours with a historical, cultural and environmental approach. They also offer day trips on the beautiful outskirts of Medellin

Entertainment

Medellin has a very active cultural life. There are four major theatres in town: Metropolitan Theatre [73], Pablo Tobon Uribe [74], Teatro de la Universidad de Medellín [75] and Teatro EAFIT [76]. They offer a variety of Music concerts, Opera, Theater, Ballet and other events with international and local performers.

There are several good quality contemporary and classic theater companies, such as Matacandelas[77], Hora 25, Pequeño Teatro[78], Oficina Central de los Sueños[79] and Teatro Popular de Medellín[80]. There is an annual Theater Festival held in the last week of August, organized by Medellín en Escena[81]

The city sits to classical music orchestras: Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín[82] and Orquesta de EAFIT. [83]

The annual opera program is held in September, organized by Prolírica de Antioquia. [84]

Go to the movies: most movies are projected in their original language with Spanish subtitles. For independent flicks try the Centro Colombo-Americano[85] with downtown and El Poblado locations.

Commercial movies are available at most shopping malls:
Cine Colombia [86], Royal Films [87] or Cinemark [88]. Price is around 10,000 pesos (4-5 USD).

The Arepa [89]: Medellin's English Magazine is a resource guide while in the city. They also have a weekly radio show talking about the events in the city.

Singer Madonna[90] had her only two MDNA World Tour concerts in Colombia in the city of Medellín on November 28 and 29th, 2012.

Sports

New sport venue in Ciudad del Rio neighborhood

Medellín is one of a few cities in the world to have all sport venues located at the same place. At Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot[91] you will find football, track & field, swimming, diving, baseball, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, velodrome, ping-pong, karts, boxing, hapkido, judo, karate do, gymnastics, taekwondo, weightlifting, chess, roller skating and many more stadiums in one convenient location. The Unidad Deportiva was recently renewed for the South American games held in March 2010. Metrostation Estadio.

Watch a football game at one of the two teams based in Medellin, Atlético Nacional [92] and Independiente Medellín [93]. Attending a home game at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium is recommended for any football - soccer fans, or those wanting to experience the famed South American passion for futbol! Games generally take place on Wednesdays and either Saturday or Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium. Metro station Estadio.

The neighboring town of Envigado also has a professional football team [94]. Metro station Envigado.

The Juvenile Football World Cup will be held in Colombia during July - August 2011 (Also called Under-20 by FIFA) with Medellín as one of its venues. [95]

Try the new Skateboarding track at Parque Ciudad del Rio. Opened July 2009, this colorful bowl-like ramps allow lots of fun for skaters and spectators. Metro station: Industriales.

Fairs, Shows & Exhibits

Parque Explora- Interactive museum & Aquarium

Visit the city during the first days of August for the local festival "Feria de las flores" (Flowers festival)[96]. There are all kind of events during one week including the "Desfile de Silleteros" (Parade of flower carriers).

The new freshwater Aquarium inside the Parque Explora[97] opened in December 2008 and depicts a great variety of river and freshwater wildlife, abundant in Colombia. It is probably one of the largest aquariums [98] in Latin America and certainly one of few specialized in freshwater fauna. Metro station Universidad.

Planetario Municipal was renewed with new digital equipment. Reopened in June 2012. See the outer space at the Planetarium [99] for COL 12,000. Cra 52 # 71 - 112 at Parque de los Deseos. Phone +57 4 5168300. Metro station Universidad.

Medellin has one of the most important Poetry Festivals[100] in the World. Every year , usually in July, poets from all around the world (including Nobel Prices) come to this amazing event.

Do a Full moon night visit to an old Cemetery [101] (Cementerio de San Pedro) where former presidents and beautiful sculpted graveyards are found. Metro stations Hospital or Universidad.

The Convention Center Plaza Mayor[102] is the main site for big events including the fashion and textile industry related annual shows Colombiamoda (July) and ColombiaTex (January) [103].

The Fourth International Tango Festival will convene with world renown artists. Free admission to all events. Every year in June. [104]

Tangovia is a monthly street fair in the neighborhood of Manrique, with great tango performers (singers, groups, dancers and more). Calle 45 x Carrera 73.

Learn

Medellín houses many important universities and learning institutes. Almost 100% of the courses are in Spanish.

Universidad de Antioquia at Plazuela San Ignacio-Medellin

Universities

Universidad de Antioquia with over 200 years is the largest and more important academic institution in town nd the second one in the whole country. Its old campus downtown has beautiful republican architecture while the newer campus (1960's) i a great example of modern architecture [105].

Universidad Nacional de Colombia has 2 campuses, good education in engineering [110].

Learn Spanish

Free online guide:

Study Spanish Medellin[111] This is a very useful and informative free guide written by a local expat that lists all the options to study Spanish at Medellin Universities, Language Schools and with private Spanish teachers. Also discussed are the different types of visas and where to stay in Medellin.

Other options:

Medellin Speaks Spanish[112] A Colombian teacher and writer offers Spanish courses tailored for individuals or small groups. His blog is also a resource for Medellin and the Spanish Language. Great prices and flexibility. All levels.

Medellin Spanish School[113] Like most of the schools in town, this one offers the best flexibility and quality at a price that does not aim to rip off the "rich foreigner".

Learn Tango

After Buenos Aires, Medellín is the best place to learn how to tango -dance, sing-.

Learn Salsa

Although Cali is the irrefutable Salsa learning capital of Colombia, you have a few options in Medellin. There are quite a few Salsa schools and academies around (usually offering a host of other dancing styles as well). There are also private teachers who give classes at your place.

Juan Rico is a private Salsa dance teacher, with 17 years of experience. Other dance styles such as Bachata, tango and Merengue and more are also available. Lessons are affordable with discounts for bulk orders. Phone: (+57) 300 242 8341, (+57) 318 388 0808

Learn Colombian Cooking

La Colegiatura is a small college with full degrees in culinary sciences and also shorter courses in basic and Colombian cooking. [117]

Work

Officially it is not legal to work in Colombia without a proper working visa. Visas can be obtained by employers on your behalf.

There is a significant market for English and other language teachers.

Buy

Colombia is famous for its coffee and Medellin is only a few hours from the coffee growing centers of Colombia. You can find coffee flavors of everything you can imagine, from ice-cream to arequipe (sweetened milk). The ‘Starbucks’ coffee culture is growing, with the most prominent brand being Juan Valdez coffee shops. The Juan Valdez chain is owned by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, and sells a variety of Colombian coffees.

Aguardiente Antioqueño: Schnaps with a special flavor, much like black licorice.

Ron Medellin: The local Rum, excellent! The quality of this rum was elevated to the highest standards during 2009 and the 8 and 12-year bottles are great presents.

Despite the claim of being the textile capital of Colombia, Medellin is not a shopper’s paradise for clothes for North American tourists, but prices can be attractive to visitors from other latitudes. The main malls sell a limited variety of clothes, (especially men’s clothes), at only slightly discounted prices from the US, although there are always bargains to be found if you look hard enough. The style of clothes for women in Medellin is very revealing and sexy, so it perhaps more suited for gift buying than shopping for yourself. When planning your shopping for clothes bear in mind that the local weather is very mild, so the options for winter and summer clothes are limited. Near Parque Lleras you can find via Primavera, a little zone full of local young designer's shops with unique garments that you will surely won't see anywhere else.

Handcrafts

On the first Saturday of the month there is the Mercado de San Alejo, an open market right on Parque de Bolívar, hours: 8.00 a.m. a 6.00 p.m. A large variety of local handcrafts sold primarily by the artisans themselves. Right in the middle of Parque Lleras from thursday to sunday you may as well find some handcraft being sold.

Centro Artesanal mi viejo Pueblo. Cr 49 # 53-30. Phone +574 513 7563

Shopping Malls

El Tesoro Parque Comercial, Cra. 25A # 1A Sur - 45 / Loma El Tesoro con Transversal Superior (Access only by taxi or private car), ☎5743211010, [118]. 9 AM-11 PM. A large shopping mall located in an unusual location: in very steep mountain overriding a creek. Many upscale stores, technology shops and good restaurants. El Tesoro is bilingual; they have an Information Center where tourists can get any information in English, every day from 14:00 to 21:30. Furthermore, it is possible to access this service calling 321 10 10 ext 111-112. And just for tourists to go shopping without any problem, the mall made a brochure with all the terms and expressions they need, in English and Spanish. Ask for it at the information desks.

San Diego centro comercial, Calle 33 No 43 16 (at the crossroad of Las Palmas, Avenida Oriental, Avenida San Diego and calle 33), ☎+ 574 262 0105, [119]. The first shopping mall built in Colombia over 30 years ago is still a nice place to stroll, eat and of course shop. You will find good prices for top notch merchandise.

Outlet Mayorca is directly connected to a Metro station and also has a movieplex. [120]. Metro Itagui.

Monterrey (Centro comercial), Avenida 62 (Carrera 48) x Calle 10. Only 2 blocks from Poblado metro station. This mall is the place to go for anything computer or cell phone related. Many small shops selling all manner of electronic equipment and accessories. There is also a 5-screen movie theatre in this mall as well as a salon offering excellent massages (store #126).

Stores

Handcrafted artisanal handbag

For leather goods for women visit Bon-Bonite with 10 locations in town. Features many handbags in leather and ethnic materials, as well as shoes and accesories. [123]. Available In most shopping malls.

Underwear, for men and women, are plentiful and the variety is great. Women: Leonisa [124], Tania [125]. Men: Unico [126], Punto Blanco, GEF. In all major shopping malls.

Money

The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Bank notes come in denominations from 1000 to 50,000 pesos. Coins are available in 50,100,200,500 and 1000 pesos. It is strongly recommended to use the exact change on taxis, because the drivers rarely have the exact amount. US dollars and Euros are rarely used, except for tourist oriented stores.

Using Credit and Debit Cards is frequent in Colombia but not prevalent as in developed countries. Often times you will need a form of ID, like your passport or government ID to pay with a card. You sometimes may be able to use a copy of your passport, but not always.

ATM limits: ATMs strictly limit withdrawals on foreign and domestic cards. You may only be able to get out 1,2 million pesos per day, so plan to visit the ATM often or hunt around for a more relaxed limit. There are 5 major international banks with local offices, if by chance you hold a card of any of these banks your rates are usually lower (Citibank, HSBC, RBS, Santander and BBVA). The largest Colombian bank is Bancolombia with ATM's everywhere.

When withdrawing money from an ATM it is highly advisable to avoid any located on streets for safety purposes. It is recommended to withdraw from ATMs inside shopping centers. Be sure not to take a taxi straight after withdrawing, it is not unusual for people to be followed out and mugged soon after making a withdrawal. Keep an eye out to be sure you are not followed.

Eat

Colombian cuisine is varied and regional. The more typical dishes are referred to as comida criolla.

One treat that will leave anyone stuffed is the "Tipico Antioqueño"; arepa con queso (small flatbreads with cheese on top), beans, chicken, rice, fried eggs, chicharron (salted and fried unsmoked bacon) and patacon (deep-fried plantain pancakes). Topping that off with a Colombian beer and a cup of "chocolatte" (pronounced the Spanish way - it's milky, sweet hot chocolate) makes for an excellent meal. An excellent place to eat typical food is Hatoviejo.

There is a large variety of restaurants all throughout Medellin, especially concentrated around the ‘Zona Rosa’ which is in Poblado between Parque Poblado and Parque Lleras. You can find a fine display of places with whatever food you desire, with good quality for comparatively cheap prices compared to the US, although there is a shortage of authentic Greek, Indian and Thai restaurants. Sushi is increasingly popular and may be found at the larger malls or supermarkets that are more "international."

Colombia also has an incredible variety of tasty fruits. A few of these are: guanábana, lulo, zapote, mamoncillo, uchuva, feijoa, granadilla, maracuyá, tomate de árbol, borojó, mamey and tamarindo. Ask for a "Salpicón": a mix of fruits marinaded on orange or watermelon juice.

Colombia is well known for its coffee, and Medellin is no exception. As with any large city, there are the usual chain restaurants, however the American "fast-food culture" has not made a huge splash in the country. Mc Donald's, Burger King, Domino's Pizza and most recently Hooters can be found there.

El Prado

Explora Gourmet (Local dishes), Cra 51 #70a - 15 (between Universidad and Hospital stations), ☎233 0568 (osbaldo0178@hotmail.com). Very local, inexpensive food with cheap, fresh regional Almuerzos. Dressed up as though it were a touristy trap, but this place is for the locals. Super friendly service as well.$.

Las Luisitas (Typical & Local), Carrera 37A No. 8A-50, ☎+57 4 311 5615 and 312 6064. Simple and well done Colombian meals in this tiny place with lots of character. Prices used to be modest, now expensive.$$$.

In situ restaurante (Jardín Botánico), Calle 73 # 51 D-14 (Metro Universidad), ☎+574 233 2373 (chef@jbmed.org), [138]. Reservations recommended. Nice restaurant located in the middle of the Botanical Gardens. The menu offers a combination of local food, some organic choices and all plates are well presented. Outside the restaurant there is a little garden with herbs and aromatic plants.$$. .

Oriente - Eastern Suburbs

QueAreParaEnamorarte, Partidas para El Retiro (Crossroads of Las Palmas and road leading to El Retiro, near the dam), ☎+57 4 542 0011 (info@arepamor.com), [139]. At 40 km east of Medellín, great local food, old fashioned and homemade.$$.

Mondongo's, Carrera 70 # circular 3 - 43 (Right hand side on avenida 70, 3 blocks from Universidad Bolivariana), ☎+57 4 411 3434, [140]. A famous and traditional local restaurant with tow locations in town, and one additional in Miami for the homesick. Offers a local soup made up with tripe. If not adventurous you can go for regular beans and other delicacies. Additional location in El Poblado Calle 10 # 38 -38, phone +57 4 312 2346.$$.

Drink

Local Drinks

Aguardiente - A popular alcoholic beverage in Colombia with sweet and licorice-flavored, made-up of sugarcane. The local brand is Aguardiente Antioqueño and it is usually drank straight followed by an ounce of water or slices of mango.

Ron - Rum is also popular with locals. The domestic brand is Ron Medellín Añejo aged either 3, 8, 12 or 30 years, typically served mixed with Club Soda, Coca-Cola or lemon juice [144].

Cerveza - Beer is available almost anywhere, the one most enjoyed by people is Pilsen[145] a light golden in color, German Pilsener or Lager type of beer. Also admired by locals and foreigners is Club Colombia a finer premium beer, made-up of 100% malt [146]. Other popular national beers include Aguila and Costena. A small company brews beer locally: Tres Cordilleras makes Wheat, American Pale and Amber Ales.

Refajo - A kind of cocktail made by mixing beer and the local soft drink Colombiana. It is refreshing and a little sweet.

Cocteles - Due to the great variety of tropical fruits and its juices your imagination will be boundless when creating Cocktails in Medellín. Start with Lulo juice with vodka, or try the many recipes with passion fruit (Spanish: Maracuyá).

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are the main days to party in Medellín; the rest of the week the mainstream nightlife isn't really exciting. Bars close at 2AM, but you will find plenty of clubs that close at 4AM, and if you need to stay up later just look for the techno or electronica clubs.

Colombians love to cook out and party. Checkout some of the culture shots here : Colombian Festival Tour Photos [147]

Dance Clubs

Babylon is best known for its Thursday night all you can drink, 20,000 pesos to enter, OPEN UNTIL 4AM. Located in Las Palmas. It's popular with gringos and 'gringo hunters'.

El Blue is a popular place with cross-over music (a mix of rock and local music). It's popular with gringos and 'gringo hunters'. Thursday is the night to go.

Red, opposite El Blue, offers electronic music and local music.

Mangos is the most famous of clubs here in Medellín and has a reputation of being visited by rich mafia-related Colombians but is also usually full of incredibly hot women (proceed with caution, some women are paid for). Also it is very very expensive at about $5 per beer and $25 for a small bottle of rum, Auto Pista Sur. OPEN TIL 4AM

Palmaia is the newest, biggest and arguably best club in Medellin and has a capacity of 3,000 people. Standard crossover music with a boxing ring for girl-fights! Autopista Sur.

Circus is a new venue with great views over Medellin. Very popular with the beautiful, in-crowd and normally plays cross-over music.

El Eslabón Prendido is a great place to watch, or if you can, dance salsa. It's located in the centre so some precaution is necessary.

Bars

There are a few districts for bars. Foreigners prefer Parque Lleras in El Poblado, safer, more upscale, nicer crowds. The middle class also mingle outside Museo de Arte Moderno, near Carlos E Restrepo neighborhood; and the so called Urban Tribes meet at Parque del Periodista (downtown). Other areas with bars are: Carrera 70 near Estadio, Carretera Las Palmas and Avenida 33 in Laureles.

The area around Parque Lleras, (la Zona Rosa), has a concentration of restaurants, bars and is great for people watching. It is active on most nights and a must visit for those looking for Colombian nightlife. The major restaurants on the corner, El Rojo and Basilica are great for food, drinks and people watching. Occasionally they have live music or big screens when important football matches are played.

Parque Lleras is interesting any night of the week although admitedly Thursday, Friday and Saturday are far more lively. There are places, mostly electronic music venues open till 6 or 7AM outside of the city limits as the laws forbid any bar to remain open after 3PM. People however gather around Parque Poblado until dawn drinking, smoking and chating. You can buy cigarettes, alcohol and anything else you could wish for from the street vendors until the last man standing.

A more upmarket experience can be had at La Strada just south of Parque Lleras on Aviendo El Poblado. The centre features numerous bars, restaurants and clubs. La Strada has become the weekend destination for the more affluent of Medellin's residents. Expect to pay more for drinks and food than in la Zona Rosa, bars close at 1AM.

Just outside of Medellin, there are some venues in the neighboring towns of Sabaneta, Envigado and Itagui. Sabaneta has not yet caught on with foreigners, making it the place to go if avoiding gringos is your thing.

Arte Vivo Mostly a local crowd. a great 80's and 90'live band (arguably the best in town) playing rock-pop greatest hits and local rock. Prices are affordable, with a nice upscale crowd, and beautifull women. Located in el Poblado across the Monterrey Shopping center (Calle 10 x Las Vegas).

Vinacure An incredibly trippy place - expensive to get in but definitely worth seeing once, entry is about US$4. The entire club is designed by a noted Colombian sculptor. Try to go when German, the owner, is about so you can check out The Naked Room, an interactive art exhibition that must be experienced (sometimes) naked. This is a very interesting, unusual and fun art-museum/bar. It's truly unique. To get there, take a taxi to the beginning of Caldas (carrera 50 No 100D Sur 07, Caldas). Or you can take a bus.

Dulce Jesus Mio (Mi Pueblo), Calle 77S # 46B-90 Sabaneta (Next to Texaco gas station), ☎+57 4 288 8176, [154]. 4 PM- 1 AM. The whole place is a replica of a traditional 'paisa' town. The locals from the village will greet you and be your host, ask you to dance and party all together. Every midnight is new years' eve. Really fun.$$.

EL POBLADO

This is probably the most desirable neighborhood to stay in, however it is also the most expensive. The higher-end bars, restaurants, and clubs are all located in this area. High-end supermarkets (Carulla and Exito) are nearby, as well as shopping malls, open Wi-Fi networks, and a few Juan Valdez coffee shops.

The Charlee (a Lifestyle Hotel), Calle 9A # 37-16 (Northeast corner of Parque Lleras), ☎+574 4444 968, [162]. Right on a corner of Parque Lleras it is a great place for crowd watching. The restaurant is located in a terrace outdoors, pricey but fun.$$$.

Hotel Casa-10, Calle 11 #43B-71 (A couple of blocks NW of Parque Poblado), ☎311 4882 or 582 5347. The most inexpensive hotel in this desirable area. Clean, and modern rooms, but musky. Newly opened in early May 2009. Friendly staff. Wider range of cable TV than most inexpensive hotels. Internet computers and WiFi included. Free parking.150,000 COP for a single room.

Medellin Executive Suites Hotel, Calle 11 A No. 31 A - 208 (Near Zona Rosa), ☎+ 57 311-582-6237, [173]. An exclusive hotel with exemplary service, modern amenities, and idyllic surroundings. Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Medellin. Short walk to Parque Lleras. Wi-Fi, Pool and recreation deck available. A controversial owner and business man who is disliked by many in the expat community because he talks so much crap about everyone else in Medellin. Email: medellinexecutivehotel@gmail.com$$$.

Hotel Santa Ana, Calle 15 sur No. 48 - 34 (Two blocks from Metrostation La Aguacatala), ☎+ 57 4 314 0707, [174]. Santa Ana is not as nice as the other hotels in El Poblado, but its proximity to the Metro is a breakpoint for many tourists. There is no much to do in La Aguacatala. Breakfast included. 140.000.

Samán Hostel, Calle 10 N° 36-24, El Poblado, ☎310 221436/320 7662735 (samanhostel@gmail.com), [183]. Run by an amazing guy named Alejandro who goes out of his way help you experience Medellin. Seriously plush and very clean for a hostel, and close to the more up-market bars around El Poblado. Internet, plush lounge, kitchen, free tea & coffee, laundry service. 20-min walk from Poblado metro stop, but near all the bars and restaurants. Dorm bed : 20,000 COP.

Casa Mayde, Calle 10 # 37-39 (Ten-minute walk from Poblado metro station), ☎+57 4 312 0254 (casamayde@yahoo.com), [185]. A Colombian run hostel in the safe and modern Parque Lleras neighborhood, for a maximum of 15 people. Hot showers in some rooms. Fully equipped self-catering kitchen. Two outdoor patios, slow internet connection, cable and laundry service. The owner, Mayde, and her staff are a rather eccentric bunch that drinks and smokes up every night, so only consider staying here if you are looking to stay up all night.Dorm bed : 15,000 COP / Private double room : 30,000 to 55,000 COP.

Apartments

Oasis Collections, ☎+1.631.731.1677 (ask_us@oasiscollections.com), [193]. A portfolio of handpicked homes and apartments that include concierge service and full guest support. Recently awarded Top Villa Provider by Condé Nast Traveler.

Respect

Clothing is usually casual but shorts or bermuda pants are unusual on weekdays. Only young locals will wear them on weekends. Sweaters and jackets are usually not necessary at daytime, occasionally needed at night.

Refrain from joking about drugs, kidnapping or bombings. Many residents of Medellin were personally affected by the violence of the past, and today they consider themselves very modern, forward looking and ready to move on. They do not find these things to be funny. In addition, the police take the security situation very seriously, and you may find yourself detained. Accordingly, there is no official tourism built around the history of Pablo Escobar, and many people do not like to discuss him, although several hostels offer a Pablo Escobar tour. You will receive a lot of puzzled stares if you start asking how to get to the house where he was killed, etc.

When on the Metrocable, remember that it is a functional part of the Metro system, and that many proud residents of the mountainside neighborhoods ride the system to and from work each day. Accordingly, refrain from gawking, commenting on or taking pictures of the neighborhoods below, especially if there are Colombians in your car.

Stay safe

Medellin is generally a safe city for tourism,[194]depending on the part of town you visit and the hours (like most other cities) and is much safer than in previous years. It was reported than in 2009 the murder rate in Medellin was the lowest in 30 years [195], while murder rates have since doubled in 2010 in a new surge of violence. According to the US State Department, murders have involved tourists and U.S citizens, and there remains a risk of "terrorist" actions in the urban area.[196]. Much of the violence is concentrated within the city's hillside slums and amongst known drug traffickers, although richer parts of town have also been aflicted by the latest surge in crime.[197] The poorer neighborhoods in the north-east and north-west of the city should be avoided at both day and night to avoid trouble. Most of the inner city is best avoided at night, maybe excluding El Poblado. Most travelers to Medellin will tell you that they never found themselves in any danger while there, as the city center and touristy neighborhoods and attractions are all heavily policed. Thus, the following advice should not deter your plans to travel there, and should be taken as advice. As in most major cities, staying safe comes down to common sense, and even the locals follow the following advice.

Don't travel alone after dark. Almost anyone who knows anyone who has gotten into trouble in Medellin will tell you that they were doing things that you shouldn't do in any city, i.e. walk around after dark alone, especially leaving clubs after having been drinking. If you must, travel with a few friends, and at night call a taxi instead of taking it off the curb.

Avoid straying off of the main areas outside of the Santo Domingo Metrocable station, especially after dark; basically, try to stay within sight of the station and library, and you will be fine. Avoid areas of downtown at night, such as the Parque San Antonio area (including outside of the Metro station), Parque Boliviar, and areas directly to the north of Parque Barrio, where there is a lot of prostitution and other shady dealings. During the day, these areas are all perfectly safe with the normal precautions.

As in most large cities, petty crime can be a problem; it is advisable to carry a color copy of your passport rather than the real thing, avoid carrying a wallet and to keep varying amounts of cash in several pockets, socks and bras. Only carry what you will need for the day, and always have enough hidden somewhere to get back to your hotel. However, at most tourist sites, the police have a very heavy presence, so you can feel safe taking pictures and walking around during the day. Avoid parks, muggers with knives wait for tourists in parks near hotels in the affluent areas of the city, such as El Poblado.

Avoid accepting drinks from strangers. One common organized scam reported recently involves girls being overly friendly to gringos at a club, buying them drinks and then asking to go home with them. The drinks end up being drugged, and the girls make off with money, credit cards and other valuables. Note that it is not very common for Medellin locals to go home with other locals to hook up; rather, cheap hotels are used. So one should be suspicious of overly friendly girls asking to come to your hotel or residence from a club.

Many people sometimes feel overwhelmed by all of the small-time vendors selling anything from fruit, ice cream, cigarettes, lottery tickets, cell phone chargers, trinkets, hats, etc. However, a simple "no, gracias" will deter them from bothering you.

As Colombia is still a country with a "macho" mindset, women might be the subject of lewd comments, cat-calling, or whistling. If you feel you have to challenge this remain polite as you do so - it may be a new experience for the man.

Do not, under any circumstances, make any jokes about the use of cocaine or bombs. The Colombian police take jokes as threats, and you may find yourself in a police station explaining yourself to unsympathetic police officers. Under normal circumstances, police officers are usually kind and helpful towards tourists.

The age of consent in Colombia is 14. The drinking age is 18. Minors are not allowed to be in possession of alcohol at any time, and they may not enter night clubs of any kind. If a minor is found to be in a night club, the entire club will be immediately closed for violating a national law. (Enforced more in nicer neighborhoods)

Always change your money at the airport or at a bank. Bancolombia is the largest national bank, is based in Medellín and has ATM's almost everywhere. "Street changers" offer tempting rates for your dollar, but be on guard. "Street Changers" palm several of the biggest bills for themselves. Do not flaunt large amounts of money around. ATM machines are your best bet for dealing with the complexities of various money changers.

When using an ATM machine (only delivers pesos) it is wise to use machines in a mall (Spanish: centro comercial), one of the large superstores (such as Exito or Carrefour) or grocery stores (such as Pomona or Carulla), then take your time walking around a bit. Don't rush out the door. If someone is watching people at the ATM, they will wait for you to leave, and possibly rob you on the street down the road. Using ATMs on the street is not advisable in Colombia.

Health

The water in Medellín is potable and delicious. However, bottled water is always available everywhere for the extra-cautious.

Colombia does not require foreigners to get extra vaccinations to enter the country.

Altitude is generally not a problem for foreigners since Medellín is approximately 1,500 mts (4,921 ft) above sea-level (about the same as Denver, USA). However, some who reside at or around sea-level may experience some minor effects their first night. If this is the case, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on the way there and on the first night.

You are at no risk of many tropical diseases like malaria, cholera, yellow fever, leishmaniasis or Chagas disease because of its altitude.

Contact

Telephone

To make an international call from Colombia, dial the access code 005 (Orbitel), 007 (ETB) or 009 (Telecom), followed by the country code, area code and party's number.

Many local phones are blocked for direct international calling, but calling through an operator will work many phones: Call 159 for the operator.

For all local phone calls you have to dial only 7 digits.

When calling from a local phone into a cell phone you have to dial '03' then the 10 digit mobile number.

When calling from a Mobile to a local phone: dial 03 + (city code) + 7 digit phone number.

Emergencies dial 123

Mobile services: There are several cellular phone companies in Colombia (claro[198], Movistar [199], TIGO [200], Uff! [201], UNE [202], ETB [203] and Avantel [204]). Calling mobile phones is more expensive than calling local numbers but not prohibitive. In crowded places is common to find people selling 'minutes' to make calls from their cell phones, usual range of prices from COP 100 to 200 per minute for domestic calls. All mobile numbers have 10 digits (The digit 3 is always first).

Internet

There are many Internet cafes throughout the city. The country code for Colombian web addresses is ".co".

Mail

Regular mail in Colombia is quite dismal [205] as you can not attach the stamps yourself and always have to go to a post office. There are very few offices in each city, usually downtown.
With this background, private mail couriers have flourished with better service and more offices. There are close to 10 different companies, among the most popular are Coordinadora[206] and TCC[207]. Both have agreements with international delivery services and cover the world over.

Newspapers

There are 4 daily newspapers in town:

El Colombiano[208] is the second largest paper in the country with somewhat conservative views. Interestedly it has a few vignettes with the most important news in English - look for 'Antioquia Bilingue' [209].

Laundry

Laundromats are scarce in Colombia, but full-service laundry and dry cleaning shops are commonly found in important streets and some shopping malls.

Electricity

It is 110-220 volts for the country, using two-prong outlets (the same as in USA).

Get out

East

Guatape and La Piedra del Peñol[230]: Guatape is located approximately 90 minutes outside of Medellin and is a popular recreational and ecotourism destination for many Colombians and foreign travelers. Half the fun of traveling to Guatape is driving through the Colombian countryside lined with beautiful rolling hills, small towns, farms and friendly people. Once you arrive in Guatape you will notice that the town borders a reservoir built for a hydroelectric dam. The lake covers thousands of acres and can be explored and enjoyed by renting a boat or taking one of the large party boats available on weekends. Guatape has new resort hotels, restaurants, homes, and recreational rentals (boats and water skis) bordering the lake. The huge Rock (La Piedra del Peñol a.k.a. Peñón de Guatape) that borders the lake is an unexplained geological phenomenon. With 2/3 of its height below ground, the exposed vertical face is over 200 m. high (660 ft) and visible from throughout the surrounding countryside. Anyone can scale the rock for a few thousand pesos via a staircase built into one side, the view is breathtaking. On the top of the rock, a restaurant offers outdoor tables overlooking views that stretch to the horizon in every direction. There are buses going about every hour from the Medellín North bus terminal. Pablo Escobar, the famous druglord, once called Guatape his home and built several big Casas on its lakeshores. His presence made Guatape a dangerous place for both foreign visitors and local Colombians. After his death Guatape transformed into a quiet town that's growing as a tourist destination. Escobar's main home is now a bombed out shell that is easily viewed from the lake.

Natural Reserve of Río Claro This private nature reserve began in 1970 with the intention of supporting the protection of tropical rainforests in the Canyon of Rio Claro, while developing ecotourism with recreational-educational programs. The lime-stone, marble deposits and the river bed are beyond amazing. [231] Accommodations with optional open to the forest cabins are available. Day tours from Medellin are also available with optional activities to choose from such as cave trekking, white water scenic rafting, kayaking and canopy adventures to name a few.

Extreme sports: Montevivo is a reservation in Santa Elena, 30 minutes up the hill from Medellín. It has 5 aerial ropeslides, one is around 400 mts long, among the largest in the world. You can canopy, trek, even sleep in the park. $$-$$$. [232] Phone: +574 538 0279. email: montevivo@montevivo.org

West

Santa Fe de Antioquia, a tropical town with beautiful colonial architecture. An annual film festival draws the national elite and cinema lovers to this charming spot. This cobblestoned street town founded in 1541 was the capital of the Antioquia Province until 1826 when it was ordained to Medellín.

South

Most of the coffee in the country grows in the Andes region southwest of Medellín and most of the traditions of the coffee growers are the same as in this city. Indeed, world famous Juan Valdez[233] has lived in Medellín for over 3 decades. There are most of 20 small towns southwest of Medellín (Suroeste Antioqueño) where you can see Juan, mule Conchita and Grab Life by the Beans.

Jardín is a quaint little town that displays beautiful local architecture, 2.5 hour drive southwest of Medellín. The main plaza is lined with several outdoor cafes, a large stone built church dominates this plaza. Local fresh trout is easily available at many eateries in town and a couple of countryside restaurants. Probably Jardín's most spellbinding natural attraction is the Splendor Cave. LandVenture Travel[234] offers day tours from Medellín to the Splendor Cave plus visiting sugar cane mills, coffee mills and other great attractions that Jardín has to offer.

In the very southern tip of the Antioquia Department there is a small country hotel overlooking the Cauca river. Terrific views of the canyon, ecological paths, swimming pool. Hotel Pipintá[235] in La Pintada. A 2.5 hr. drive from Medellín.

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